The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-07
Southwest Virginia.

was net an air castle, balloon kind OF
boom, y or anything like the sensational
excitements that exist IN new settlements.
such as Dickens describes in martin
but business promise
based upon substantial facts, and destined
to ripep into remarkable growth OF
wealth, population and industrial prosper
ity. We had read and heard much OF
the Southwest and its vast mineral re-
sources, and the prospective boom that
was to attack it. But we had no idea OF
the real facts-the extensive plans for the
development of that section-the capital
that is pouring in-the enterprise that is
taking hold-and the bold, sagacions bust
ness men who are preparing with their
means, experience and energy to inaugur-
ate boom. !" that Will have for its foun-
dation the richest and most varied mineral
district on this continent. There is moth.
ing comparable to it that is now engaging
public attention. Birmingham and Chat
tanooga may have advantages and attrac-
tions that satisfy those who are there, and
haye never seen anything better. But
when the iron, coal, lead, zinc, copper,
plaster, &C., Of the Southwest are consid-
ered-their richness, abundance and avail
Utility, it is no exaggeratiOn to say that
they have not their equal in this country
And then the equable climate, produc-
tive soil and robust manhood, which sup
plement the mineral deposits of South
west Virginia, are SO much clear gain
for that splendid section.
Our objective point was Pulaski. Hence
We pass by. for the present, the interven-
| ing sections where progress and develop
ment are noted on every hand, and en-
larged business enterprises are giving
employment to labor. stimulating the peo-
pie, and making the waste places to blosi
som as the rose. The cannery establish
ment of the Moomaw s at Cloverdale, in
Botetourt county-the vast areas of land
devoted to fruit and vegetable productions
to supply the demand for canning-the
thrift, neatness and comfort which Eare
noticeable in every direction-are condi
tions for congratulation. Roanoke, that
beautiful, progressive and. growing city
which has sprung up almost as is if by
magic, is wonder in itself. Its en-
terprise is phenomenal-inaugurating pro
jeets and grasping plans of improve
ment and industrial usefulness, which
must make it an important. industrial
centre, and assure population of double
what it now is within the next five years
The CroZier Furnace and the extensive
machine shops of the Norfolk and West
ern Railroad, are Of themselves business
factors that must Keep the people alive
and added to them the projected Rolling
Mill, and other industrial enterprise:
contemplated. Roanoke will soon be ;
city indeed as we'll as in. name-a city o
wealth, solidly based, and with twice tn
population 1T now boasts. Its interest
are in the hands of live. intelligent busi
ness men, who have the pluck and the en-
ergy to take advantage of their remarka
BILE opportunities, and supplemented by thu
comprehensive liberality and public spiri
of the management is of the Norfolk an,
Western and the Shenandoah Vale
Railroads, it's future is assured.
i But to Pulaski. 1t is city, as yet, OF
paper-the old Martin farm of 900 acre
which has been laid off into streets ant
avenues of imposing historical names
still retains it's pastural attractions. Thu
citizens discourse upon the advantages o
l a nd otr CIT
and the prospective rise in the valce G
corners on this and that avenue. The,
are sincere in this and we'll they may be
for the basis from which they calculate
is solid. 1t is the mineral wealth of Thu
Hdistrict-a wealth that cannot be com
!, puted at this time, in dollars--which give
tins confidence. 1t is not exaggeratiol
to say that the affluence of this mineia
district surpasses that of any similar arei
of territory in the United States. II
commence with, the Bertha Zinc Work.
are located here, and as they stand cos
nearly half million dollars, while thu
company is stocked at $4,000 900. There
are now six new furnaces going up, which
added to the four in operation. will give
them ten, with an annual estimated bust
ness of about 100000. The mines have
but recently been reached by the Cripple
Greek Railroad, branch of the Norfolk
and Western, for the accommodation Of
the mineral properties located in the ter
ritoiy it penetrates. Heretofore the ore'
have been conveyed by wagon to Pulaski
at cost for hauling of about 3d. 900 PEI
annum. With the additional furnaces ant
rail accommodations, the output, now
about thirty five tons day, will be largely
increased, and the works run to theil
fullest capacity When fully completed
the Bertha Works will give employment
to several hundred hands at the furnace
and as many more at the mines. Besides
the Bertha Zinc mines, there are two 9th
ers operated, with indications that Others
will be opened as the demand for the ores
may enlarge.
AS tributary to the zinc works we may
mention the Altoona coal fields, about
eight miles distance from Pulaski and
reached by branch railroad. The coal
seems to be semi -anthracite, in crushed
condition. resembling the Dora coal of
| Augusta county. and is used in mixirg
with the zinc ores when placed in the fur
mace. II answers the purpose and for that
reason is more valuable than if thrown
upon the market as general commercial
| fuel.
In 1880. Mr.. Jones. the intelligent SUI
perintendent, took charge of the zinc works.
Then there had not been 10ore than LOCO
tons of ore taken from the mines. Since
the Bertha Zinc company has had control,
up to Sept, 1886, 2,7O0 tons have been
smelted, in addition to the wash ore which
is estimated at 5000 tons of clean ore. and
5 900 tons stripped and ready for min
ing. aggregating about $4,000 tons from
the present opening. The property can
not be said to be in developed state
There are IS acres Of zinc bearing land be-
longing to the company, SO acres of which
are estimated to yield rs 900 tons per acre,
and As acres about 5000 tons to the acre,
or 1,475, 900 tons. There are other zinc
ore bearing properties adjacent to that of
the Bertha company. 1t may be readily
l.